“Espelhos digitais”: mulheres, autoestima e comportamentos nas mídias sociais.

Abstract

Nowadays, the expansion of the Internet and the emergence of social media offer a variety of channels for information consumption, reaching a wide range of audiences, including women. However, it is important to note that these platforms often have an adverse impact on women's self-esteem and emotional well-being, as they promote unattainable beauty standards and lifestyles, resulting in harmful comparisons, feelings of inadequacy, and even mental illness. The objective of this study is to understand the repercussions of social media use on students' behavior and self-esteem. This is a quantitative exploratory study using mixed methods, including data collection through semi-structured interviews and the application of the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Scale (SATAQ-3) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The population participating in the study was made up of undergraduate students of the Nursing course at the Federal University of Campina Grande, Cuité Campus. It was possible to identify that the students mainly use Instagram and feel pressured by beauty standards on social media, with the constant presence of feelings of inadequacy. The most consumed content was related to fashion and lifestyle. The overall average score on the SATAQ-3 was 91.66, and on the Rosenberg Scale it was 11, indicating average self-esteem. In short, the variation in the perception of media content among women makes it subjective and complex to understand its impact on self-esteem. Nursing has a crucial role in the discussion and in providing psychological and social support to young people affected by these influences. It is essential to include this topic in the nursing curriculum to train future professionals to intervene appropriately.